Chapter 1 - Gabriella (1)

Hell is empty and all the devils are here. -William Shakespeare

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The morgue is cold but I feel like I'm reduced to ashes on the inside.

I stare at Jino's lifeless body lying on the metal table, feeling like I've been gutted inside because I can't stop feeling like I'm the reason he's dead. My family keeps telling me it's not my fault and a little part of me believes that. But a huge—very huge part thinks otherwise.

It's my second time down at the morgue and I still can't believe that he's gone, but Jino is right in front of me now, unmoving, chalky—almost gray, a white sheet covering his body to the chest.

In one night, I lost my best friend and the man I thought I might have a future with.

My heart is crippled in agony. The pain feels like it wants to camp in my stomach. It's been there since my other best friend Trigger called me a few hours ago to tell me what happened.

While I've been crushing on J, I knew he felt the same. We were together not too long ago, spending the day like we always did—laughing and having fun—and in a blink of an eye he's…gone. I'm having a hard time processing it even though the fact is right in front of me.

I lay my eyes on Jino's face and I cry harder. I can hardly look at him, yet I can't look away either. I think a piece of me died along with him and I feel like I should also have my own cold metal table.

"Goodnight, Jino. I'll never forget you. Visit me in my dreams, okay?" I whisper in his ear. They say hearing is the last sense to disappear during death. It's been hours, but maybe he can still hear me? I kiss his cheek one last time and back away.

Wiping my eyes with the handkerchief my brother gave me earlier, I finally turn around and leave the morgue. The male staff member gives me an eye as I walk past him. He's annoyed that I interrupted his break time when I asked to see Jino again. I nod to him as a "Thank You".

I was supposed to go down to the cafeteria on Level 2 to get some coffee when I decided to go to the morgue again. I've been gone for a while, and I'm sure they will be looking for me soon. I'm certain my brother, Gael, and my uncle would be, anyway.

I walk back to the elevators and wait for the car. My phone in my pocket buzzes and I'm sure it's one of the guards—or probably my brother or uncle. The doors open and I step inside as I unlock my phone.

A phone number I don't expect pops on my screen and I tap on the bubble, wondering what he could possibly say to me right now.

[ Capt. Ass: Come to the basement parking alone. ]

Blood rushes to my head at the thought of that man. He wants to see me? After what they did to Jino? Captain Ass must be insane if he thinks I'm at his beck and call.

[ Gabriella: Fuck off. ]

I'm about to shove my phone back into my pocket when it vibrates in my hand.

Captain Ass is calling.

My thumb hovers over the flashing screen as I contemplate. Do I answer? Or do I ignore?

Jino's lifeless face flashes in my head and my fingers tremble. Before I can stop myself, I tap the answer button and snap, "What. The. Hell. Do. You. Want."

"Black car, Level B2 number 15. Five minutes."

"I—Hello???" I grit my teeth, realizing the asshole already dropped the call.

I'm fuming now. Where does he get off ordering me around like this? I ought to kill him myself. An eye for an eye. This is what our kind of family is all about anyway. And with all the things those bastards did to my family in the past years? They sure owe us a lot of eyes.

II'm a De Luca. I'm not to cower. I'm not to blindly follow the enemy. But, apparently, I'm doing the opposite as I hit the Basement Level 2 parking button on the panel. I think about texting my family, but before I could type anything, the car dings, and then the door opens. My nerves get to me and I shove my phone back into my pocket.

It takes me less than a minute to locate the black car on the far right of the parking area. Walking towards it, I subconsciously tuck my hair behind my ear, then I immediately drop my hand. What the hell? Get a grip, Gabby! My breathing quickens and my head hurts as I scowl at the dark windshield, knowing Captain Ass must be watching me right now.

I can imagine him peering through the windshield with a triumphant smirk on his face.

The door to the backseat opens and he steps out, looking like he just jumped out of a GQ magazine cover. I hate that he's unnecessarily attractive, wearing a black velvet suit as if he was just out celebrating something monumental. Like the death of my love.

My heart rams against my chest as he strides my way, his hands tucked inside his pants' pockets, his black dangling cross earring glinting when the fluorescent light shines on it. I should charge toward him and introduce my fist to his face but I'm rooted in place with my hands clenched at my sides.

He stops in front of me, his eyes raking my form from head to toe. And then his gaze snaps back up to me.

Mariano Morelli. Aka Captain Ass. Unfortunately, my fiancé.